Modi not allowing Delhi govt to compensate Grewal's family: Kejriwal

Arvind Kejriwal today accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of "not allowing" the Delhi government to compensate the family of ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal.

New Delhi, Dec 8: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of "not allowing" the Delhi government to compensate the family of ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal.

He said the AAP government's plan to give Rs one crore compensation to the family of Grewal, who committed suicide in the city last month over the OROP issue, has been hindered as Lt Governor Najeeb Jung has sought a report on the issue from the ruling dispensation.

The Chief Minister, however, vowed to provide the compensation "at any cost". He also sought to know why the Central government had not given Rs one crore to the families of soldiers, who were martyred in Uri terror attack, on lines of the Delhi government's policy.

"They (BJP) go to seek votes in the name of surgical strike, but when the time comes to help families of martyrs, Modi ji neither gives compensation nor allows us to do it," Kejriwal said.

Under the AAP government's compensation policy, the families of martyrs, who are residents of Delhi, are given Rs one crore. Kejriwal has been urging the Prime Minister to implement the same across the country.

The Chief Minister said the Cabinet has decided to compensate the Grewal family and there was "no need to seek LG's consent on the issue."

"There is no need to seek LG's approval on the Cabinet decision. Cabinet is supreme and it can give compensation. Grewal did not commit suicide for himself. He did it for the country's soldiers.

"He committed suicide so that the country's attention move towards soldiers and we recognise their sacrifice," he said.

Kejriwal, however, clarified that he was open to meet the LG on the issue and convince him about the Cabinet decision if he had any reservations about it.

"LG has sought a report on this issue, saying that he will not give approval on it. But, we will request LG. Deputy CM will meet the LG and request him to allow us to release the compensation," he said.

The AAP leader added that Delhi Chief Secretary was preparing the report that will be submitted to the LG office soon.

Ram Kishan Grewal, 70-year-old ex-serviceman, had consumed poison in the lawns behind Jawahar Bhavan, which houses some offices of the Ministry of External Affairs, on 1 November. His suicide had snowballed into a huge political showdown in the capital.

PTI